Pay To Praise?
Keith Green led by example in his life. One of the more memorable things that he is did was his fight against the commercialization of Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). Specifically, he was distraught at CCM artists charging admission for their concerts. One artist who carries that banner today is Steve Camp. Here is his powerful opinion on charging admission for Christian concerts.
Keith Green’s method was to accept love offerings to finance his ministry. In this way, people were free to come to his concerts regardless of their ability to pay, thereby letting all who came to hear the gospel of Jesus. His example is rarely followed now except in rare circumstances.
This issue came up recently in my life. I found out about “The Big Ticket” event which will be happening in my town this summer. The event is great; it will feature Casting Crowns and the Newsboys along with other Christian artists in a two or three day concert. The event will include overnight camping on the grounds for a truly Woodstockish event.
It turns out that I will also be in on the planning in one aspect of this event – the youth worship choir training. The ultimate goal here is to recruit 30-40 youth from this area to prepare for a praise concert modeled after the Passion, a popular event helping kids find God and worship Him.
This group of local kids will sing and lead others in singing five or six songs with a DVD + live accompaniment worship band on stage. But here is the kicker. In order to participate in the worship choir event, they may have to pay $5 above the admission price to the “The Big Ticket” which I hear will be close to $30 PER PERSON. This is outrageous.
These “worship” events have become more about celebrity than about worship. “Worship artists” are now celebrities. We go to hear them “perform” at concerts. We go to “applaud” them on “stage” while they “entertain” us for Jesus. Ministry? I guess as long as the ministry is to rich kids, it’s a good ministry.
Pity the welfare kids in town who have to decide about whether to make their car payment or go to a worship event.
I really think that CCM artists and event promoters have become misguided in their pursuit of fame. Money really has become a distraction. We in evangelical society have come to accept the norms of secular entertainment into our “music ministries”. Where is our reliance upon God for “supplying all our needs”? Is our reliance on charging admission a way of taking God out of the process?
Why not have local churches step up and support this event fully? Sure, have voluntary love offerings during the “The Big Ticket” but don’t deny anyone the opportunity to get saved! Don’t deny the lost kids in town an opportunity to hear about the love of Christ because the cost of admission would get in the way! What are we thinking!?
WHAT ARE WE THINKING?!
Keith Green’s method was to accept love offerings to finance his ministry. In this way, people were free to come to his concerts regardless of their ability to pay, thereby letting all who came to hear the gospel of Jesus. His example is rarely followed now except in rare circumstances.
This issue came up recently in my life. I found out about “The Big Ticket” event which will be happening in my town this summer. The event is great; it will feature Casting Crowns and the Newsboys along with other Christian artists in a two or three day concert. The event will include overnight camping on the grounds for a truly Woodstockish event.
It turns out that I will also be in on the planning in one aspect of this event – the youth worship choir training. The ultimate goal here is to recruit 30-40 youth from this area to prepare for a praise concert modeled after the Passion, a popular event helping kids find God and worship Him.
This group of local kids will sing and lead others in singing five or six songs with a DVD + live accompaniment worship band on stage. But here is the kicker. In order to participate in the worship choir event, they may have to pay $5 above the admission price to the “The Big Ticket” which I hear will be close to $30 PER PERSON. This is outrageous.
These “worship” events have become more about celebrity than about worship. “Worship artists” are now celebrities. We go to hear them “perform” at concerts. We go to “applaud” them on “stage” while they “entertain” us for Jesus. Ministry? I guess as long as the ministry is to rich kids, it’s a good ministry.
Pity the welfare kids in town who have to decide about whether to make their car payment or go to a worship event.
I really think that CCM artists and event promoters have become misguided in their pursuit of fame. Money really has become a distraction. We in evangelical society have come to accept the norms of secular entertainment into our “music ministries”. Where is our reliance upon God for “supplying all our needs”? Is our reliance on charging admission a way of taking God out of the process?
Why not have local churches step up and support this event fully? Sure, have voluntary love offerings during the “The Big Ticket” but don’t deny anyone the opportunity to get saved! Don’t deny the lost kids in town an opportunity to hear about the love of Christ because the cost of admission would get in the way! What are we thinking!?
WHAT ARE WE THINKING?!
posted by duteberta at 11:44 AM
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